“Will you be all right here alone?”
Vane cast him a sidelong glance. “Alone is the safest place to be.”
After the horrific events of the day and the years spent worrying about his troubles, Christian had no desire to sit and wallow in Vane’s misery. “Then I shall bid you goodnight.”
Vane raised his glass in a toast. “For what it’s worth, I’m pleased everything has worked out well for you.”
Christian inclined his head and slipped quietly out into the hall. It took every effort not to charge up the stairs. But what was the hurry? He had the rest of his life to love Rose.
After checking the only available rooms and finding them empty, a sense of panic took hold. He checked his bedchamber, hoping to find Rose sprawled naked in his bed, but no. And so he opened the door to the children’s room and peered inside.
The sight stole his breath.
Drawn by the beauty of the scene, he stepped into the room. Rose was curled up on Alice’s bed, her arm draped over both children as they lay huddled beside her. In sleep, they looked content. Their soft, peaceful breathing warmed his heart, and he simply stood there staring for the longest time.
The light patter of footsteps behind forced him to glance over his shoulder.
Mrs Hibbet entered the room. “Now there’s a sight to behold, my lord,” she whispered. “Happen I was right. The Lord sent us an angel.”
Christian struggled to contain the sudden surge of emotion. “You’re always right, Mrs Hibbet.”
“Not always. Dr Taylor had me good and proper. And to think I drank his potions.”
Guilt flared for his failure to spot the signs, but he pushed it aside. The past mattered not. “Let’s not think about the doctor anymore. The man has taken up enough of our time.”
Mrs Hibbet nodded. “Well, I best move Jacob into his bed else he’ll have a crick in his neck come the morning.”
“I’ll wake Rose.” Christian moved to the side of the bed. “Rose.” He placed a hand on her arm and shook her gently. “Rose.”
Her lids fluttered open. She blinked numerous times and then her eyes met his. “Christian, when did you get home?”
“Half an hour ago.”
“Is everything all right?” She sat up and eased herself off the bed, trying not to wake the children.
Christian caught her by the elbow when she nearly tumbled. “Everything is fine. But there are things we need to discuss. I’m afraid they cannot wait until the morning.”
“Oh, I see.” Her tone held a nervous edge. She glanced at the bed. “Let me settle the children, and I shall join you in a moment.”
Mrs Hibbet came forward. “I’ll see to things up here. You go off now.” The housekeeper ushered them out of the door and closed it behind them.
“Come.” Christian grabbed Rose’s hand and pulled her along the corridor. As they passed his bedchamber, he took a quick peek over his shoulder before opening the door and dragging her inside. He kicked the door shut.
“Christian,” she gasped.
“This isn’t the time for talking, Rose.” He crushed his mouth to hers, delving into its warm depths in the hope of satisfying the clawing need within.
Passion burned instantly, soon reaching the point of no return.
With frantic hands, they stripped each other naked, sank to the floor despite there being an over-sized bed a mere foot away.
He wanted to pleasure her until dawn, but the urgency to claim her body took hold. “Rose, I imagined this would be a slow, languorous affair where I would … good God.”
Rose wrapped her thighs tightly around him and grabbed his bare buttocks. “Don’t wait, Christian.”
She didn’t need to tell him twice. He entered her in one long fluid movement. The muscles in her core gripped him like a glove. Everything about this woman felt right.
“I’m afraid I couldn’t wait even if I wanted to. Love, I’ve waited for you my whole damn life.” They were one now, and nothing or no one would ever change that.